Monkey Rock sees strange peaks, Shenxian enjoys autumn red; one day, two scenes, not letting down the rich mountains and rivers

Fushun Monkey Rock National Forest Park + Shenxian Valley Maple Leaf Scenic Area
1-day in-depth natural light hiking tour guide.
Suitable for spring and autumn (especially the October maple viewing season), the itinerary is relaxed, the scenery is stunning, combining forest oxygen bar, stream exploration, and autumn red leaf splendor.
📍Liaoning · Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun, Monkey Rock National Forest Park: Named after a giant rock resembling a squatting spiritual monkey, with over 95% original forest coverage, fresh air, and rich negative oxygen ions, it is a famous "lung cleansing" spot in Northeast China.
🍁Shenxian Valley: Famous for its century-old wild ginseng culture and autumn red leaves, known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou of Liaodong," with babbling streams and colorful forests, perfect for photography.
✅Recommended reasons:
- The two scenic spots are only about 30 kilometers apart, allowing a one-day combined visit
- Suitable for families, couples, photography enthusiasts, and light hikers
- Autumn (mid to late October) is the peak red leaf season, with colors as stunning as an oil painting
[Tent] 1-day natural scenery + light hiking + photography check-in || Budget reference | About 200 RMB per person (around 600 RMB for three people)
Detailed itinerary (recommended autumn maple viewing version)
Morning: Explore the magical monkey realm — [Monkey Rock National Forest Park]
- ⏰ Arrival time: 8:30 - 9:00
- ⏱️ Duration: about 3 hours
- 🚗 Travel: About 1.5 hours drive from Shenyang (about 120 km)
💡Highlights:
- Climb to the "Monkey Rock Viewing Platform," overlooking three giant rocks towering into the clouds, resembling guardian apes
- Walk along wooden plank roads through the primeval forest sea, listen to birdsong, watch squirrels jump
- Pass suspension bridges, waterfalls, and Anti-Japanese United Army secret camp ruins, blending history and nature
- Child-friendly trails suitable for children over 6 years old to walk easily.
[Rainbow] Ticket information:
- Adult ticket: 50 RMB/person
- Children/students/seniors: half price 25 RMB/person
- Scenic shuttle bus: 10 RMB/person (mandatory for uphill and downhill, steep mountain roads)
💰Cost estimate (family of three):
- Tickets: 50×2 + 25 = 125 RMB
- Shuttle bus: 10×3 = 30 RMB
- Snacks + water: 50 RMB
Subtotal: 205 RMB
Noon: Lunch in Xinbin County town or farmhouse outside the scenic area
- Recommended restaurants: "Mountain People’s Home," "Manxiang Flavor"
- Must-order dishes: chicken stewed with mushrooms, pork stewed with vermicelli, sticky bean buns, wild vegetable pockets, sour soup noodles
💰Per person 40 RMB × 3 = **120 RMB**
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[Rainbow] Afternoon: Step into an oil painting world — [Shenxian Valley Ecotourism Area]
- ⏰ Arrival time: 13:30 - 14:00
- ⏱️ Duration: about 2.5 hours
- 🚗 Travel: About 30 minutes drive from Monkey Rock (30 km)
💡Highlights:
- Autumn exclusive: mountains covered with red and yellow leaves interwoven, reflected in clear streams, like a fairyland
- Gentle plank roads by the stream, where you can take off shoes to play in the water, collect fallen leaves for crafts, with dense check-in spots like "Thousand-year-old Elm," "Lover’s Bridge," and "Flying Cloud Waterfall"
- Filming location for the TV drama "Crossing the Northeast," rich in Guandong style.
Ticket information:
- Adult ticket: 40 RMB/person
- Children/students: 20 RMB/person
- Free or 10 RMB parking
💰Cost estimate (family of three):
- Tickets: 40×2 + 20 = 100 RMB
- Parking fee: 10 RMB
- Souvenirs/photography: 50 RMB (optional)
Subtotal: 160 RMB.
[Rainbow] Evening: Return to Shenyang or stop by [Hetu Ala City] night view (optional)
- If time allows (finish before 16:30), drive 30 minutes to [Hetu Ala City]
- Night light show starts, red walls and golden tiles, a dream back to the Qing Dynasty
- Free viewing outside, photos can be taken without entering the scenic area
- Return to Shenyang around 18:00
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budget summary for a family of three
Transportation (fuel + highway, round trip about 200 km) | 240 RMB (calculated at 1.2 RMB/km)
Monkey Rock scenic area tickets + shuttle | 155 RMB
Lunch | 120 RMB
Shenxian Valley tickets + parking | 110 RMB
Drinks + snacks + souvenirs | 100 RMB
Total ≈ 725 RMB
✅If only two people travel, total cost can be controlled within 500 RMB
Practical tips and professional advice
🍁1. Best season:
- October 10 - October 25: Shenxian Valley red leaves are most vibrant
- Spring and summer also suitable: June to August for cooling, lush greenery, suitable for water play.

🍁2. Clothing guide:
- Large temperature difference in mountainous areas, recommend wearing windbreakers or thin down jackets
- Must wear non-slip sports shoes or hiking boots
- Prepare hats, mosquito repellent, and thermos cups for children
[MapleLeaf]3. Photography tips:
- For red leaves: shoot with front light by the stream in the morning, backlight silhouettes in the afternoon
- Use portrait mode on your phone to blur the background for better shots
- Bring a tripod to capture silky stream effects
[MapleLeaf]4. Parent-child interactive ideas:
- Make an "Autumn Colors" collection card: let children find red/yellow/orange/green leaves to paste in a notebook
- Play "Forest Five Senses Game": close eyes to listen to wind, touch tree bark, smell soil
- Tell the folk story of the "Ginseng Doll" to add fun.
[100] Crossing two mountains in one day, found the entrance to autumn in Fushun
📌Monkey Rock sees strange peaks, Shenxian enjoys autumn red; one day, two scenes, not letting down the rich mountains and rivers. This is not just a short trip, but a life education class measuring the season with footsteps and feeling nature with the heartbeat.